ENTRIES ARE now open for the Scottish National Fatstock Club prestigious Premier Meat Exhibition, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. The club is looking for a large entry of prime beef cattle and sheep from across Scotland and the North of England to mark this special occasion.

Judging “on the hoof” takes place at Caledonian Marts, Stirling, on Wednesday, November 15, followed on the Saturday, November 28, by the judging “on the hook” at the M and S-sponsored Premier Meat Exhibition at the Scotbeef meat plant at Bridge of Allan.

“The Premier Meat Exhibition, which sees cattle and sheep judged both live and dead, is unique in the UK and is one of the largest of its kind in Europe,” said the club’s chief cattle steward, Alan Turnbull.

“The competition was launched to help farmers understand the deadweight grading of cattle and lamb carcases following the move away from live selling by auction and was a completely new concept at the time. Entries doubled within three years and the competition has gone from strength-to-strength ever since. We anticipate a large entry for this year’s show to mark the 25th anniversary.”

A feature of the event is the Young Livestock Producer section confined to exhibitors aged from 16 to 26 years and introduced in 2013 to encourage the younger generation into the industry. The attractive prize money in this section offers a real incentive to youngsters to take part.

“This has proved very successful and entries have doubled since the new classes were introduced,” said Mr Turnbull. “We are particularly keen to attract even more entries in this section and would encourage all young farmers to take part to help develop their skills in livestock production.”

Entries for the Premier Meat Exhibition – and cattle and sheep for LiveScot – close on Friday, October 6, and for commercial calves on Friday, October 20. Entry forms can be downloaded from the club’s web site, www.fatstockclub.co.uk